TSUBAME
TSUBAME SCISSORS
Who it suits
TSUBAME is a Japanese scissor brand founded in 2001 in Niigata, crafted by metalworking artisans from a region with 300 years of tradition.
Price position
$200–500 · tier 3 of 5
Profile completeness
8/9Profile coverage
- Models
- 5 catalogued
- Product types
- 2 documented
- Materials
- 4 documented
Tsubame, the Niigata city with roughly 300 years of metalworking history, gave this scissor brand its name and its founders. A group of local craftsmen started TSUBAME in 2001. Five items are listed, guide-priced between $200 and $500, in 5.5 and 6.0 inch lengths, from the 6-piece 420A shears set to the Ceramic 60M cutter, with 440C, VG-1, and VG15 steels across the lines.
About TSUBAME
TSUBAME is a Japanese scissor brand founded in 2001 in Tsubame, Japan, a city with roughly 300 years of traditional metal processing history. The brand was started by a group of craftsmen from this metalworking region. TSUBAME Scissors now has a U.S. presence based in El Monte, California.
Heritage
Tsubame City (in Niigata Prefecture) is one of Japan’s most recognized centers for metal craftsmanship, alongside nearby Sanjo. The area’s metalworking traditions date back approximately 300 years, and the region produces everything from kitchen knives to industrial tools. TSUBAME Scissors draws on this deep local expertise.
In 2009, the company expanded internationally, launching product lines in the United States, England, Holland, France, and China. They later added an e-commerce platform to reach stylists worldwide.
Product Range
TSUBAME produces cutting and thinning scissors for weaving, slide cutting, and slice cutting.
The brand is carried by its own official online store, as well as through HIEN and Hasami House in Japan. This gives stylists multiple purchasing options depending on their location.
Market Positioning
TSUBAME sits in the mid range price tier. For American stylists, the El Monte, California address means domestic ordering and support are available. The brand’s roots in one of Japan’s premier metalworking cities give it a credibility that resonates with professionals who value regional craftsmanship.
The Tsubame and Sanjo area of Niigata is home to several other scissor brands as well, so TSUBAME operates in a region where scissor making is a concentrated local industry rather than an isolated operation.
Sources
- TSUBAME official website: tsubamescissors.com
- HIEN retailer listing
- Hasami House retailer listing
See Also
TSUBAME at a glance
- Budget
- Mid-range $200–400
- Makes
- Cutting Scissors, Thinning Scissors
- Based in
- Japan
- Catalogue
- 5 models listed
- Established
- 2001
Product Types
Specialties
Materials & Construction
The steel, edges, and handle styles TSUBAME works in:
Where to Buy
Official Brand Websites
The range, at a glance
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Product photos from the ScissorPedia catalogue; see each product page for provenance.
Products
How TSUBAME compares
Same listed origin, adjacent price tier. Rows tinted brass differ; "—" means the field is not documented yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
7 answers you can open one at a timeIs TSUBAME a Japanese scissor brand?
Yes. TSUBAME was founded in 2001 in Tsubame, a city in Niigata Prefecture with roughly 300 years of metalworking tradition, and its scissors are handcrafted in Japan.
Where is TSUBAME based?
The brand is rooted in Tsubame, Japan, and runs a U.S. operation in El Monte, California, so stylists in the States can order and get support domestically.
What kind of scissors does TSUBAME make?
TSUBAME makes cutting and thinning scissors, with blades geared toward weaving, slide cutting, and slice cutting.
What sizes do TSUBAME scissors come in?
TSUBAME models stick to 5.5 and 6.0 inch lengths. The Matsu and Slim cutters and the 6-piece set come in both sizes, while the Ray thinner and Ceramic 60M are 6.0 inch only.
How much do TSUBAME scissors cost?
The 420A 6-Piece set anchors guide prices at $200, the Matsu, Slim, and Ray models hold the middle at $350, and the Ceramic 60M tops out at $500. That $200 to $500 spread covers the 5 items.
Where can I buy TSUBAME scissors?
You can buy them through the official TSUBAME store, and in Japan they are also stocked by HIEN and Hasami House.
Ratings & reviews
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